Early History of Paterson NJ

​The town of Paterson is situated in NE New Jersey close to the waterfalls on the Passaic River. It became a town in 1831. During these early years some of our Founding Fathers noted the manufacturing potential of the city and area, so established the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures. This society was critical in establishing Paterson NJ as the manufacturing hub that it soon became.

With this said, the mission of the Society got off to a rough start as it coincided with the economic panic of 1790-1791. As a result of the primary mill on the river never got started and eventually was destroyed by a fire in the early 1800s. However, due to the amazing power of the falls, Paterson eventually became one of the premier commercial economic centers in the US. It quickly attracted professionals spanning all discipline: marketers, inventors, engineers, architects, and artists.

Throughout the 19th century, Paterson became the manufacturing center of the county, mainly because of the power of the waterfall. There were many designs and design changes, but eventually, Pierre L'Enfant scheme was favored over Peter Colt's. Eventually, in the early 1900s the Society convinced the mill owners to switch to electricity. This design was provided by Thomas Edison's electric power company, which assumed prominence in 1914, lasting until the last 1960s. But what changes stays the same, and later the great falls power Paterson NJ again. Mind you, this journey, to, from and back again to hydroelectricity, spanned over 224 years.

Early Paterson is also known for the early "underwater boat", otherwise known today as a submarine. The inventor, John Holland came from Erie, PA to Paterson in 1875. Holland built this first submarine both in Paterson, Albany, and New York City. Eventually. the boat became outfitted with a newly patented gasoline engine built by JC Todd. Finally, in 1879, the underwater boat was slipped into the river at Listners Boathouse.

During this entire, in the 1870s, Paterson was home to over 50% of the silk made in the USA. The mills were instrumental in this as was the overall spirit of the entrepreneurial city. However, in the early part of the 20th century, internal and external strife caused Paterson's silk generators to begin to decline. This was the beginning of the end of the manufacturing prominence in Paterson NJ. From this point forward, the city and immediate areas would decline economically.

Originally built on 7 acres below the waterfalls, the area was called the Allied Textile Printing site; this was also the area where Colt founded the Colt Gun Mill. Both have operated in this area for over two centuries. During those late 19th century times, over 120 companies operated in Paterson involved in every aspect of manufacturing silk products. These mills employed thousands and functioned as societal leaders.

Paterson NJ is rich in history, least of which is its close proximity to New York City, which became the greatest city in the world. From its humble beginnings on the banks of the Passaic River. to its reemergence as an economic center for banking and technology, Paterson has enjoyed a storied history. ​